Rip's great weakness was a natural dislike of all kinds of money-making labor.

It could not be from lack of diligence (勤劳), for he could sit all day on a wet

rock and fish without saying a word, even though he was not encouraged by a single

bite. He would carry a gun on his shoulder for hours, walking through woods and fields

to shoot a few birds or squirrels. He would never refuse to help a neighbor, even

in the roughest work. The women of the village, too, used to employ him to do such

little jobs as their less helpful husbands would not do for them. In a word, Rip

was ready to attend to everybody's business but his own.

If left to himself, he would have whistled ( 吹口哨) life away in perfect

satisfaction; but his wife was always mad at him for his idleness (懒散). Morning,

noon, and night, her tongue was endlessly going, so that he was forced to escape

to the outside of the house -- the only side which, in truth, belongs to a henpecked husband.

68. Which of the following best describes the Catskill Mountains?

A. They are on the west of the Hudson River.

B. They are very high and beautiful in this area.

C. They can be seen from the Appalachian family.

D. They gather beautiful clouds in blue and purple.

69. The hero of the story is probably_____________.

A. hard-working and likes all kinds of work

B. idle and hates all kinds of jobs

C. simple, idle but very dutiful

D. gentle, helpful but a little idle

70. The underlined words "henpecked husband" in the last paragraph probably means

a man who .

A. likes hunting

C. loves his wife B. is afraid of hens D. is afraid of his wife

71. What would be the best title for the text?

A. Catskill Mountains. B. A Mountain Village.